1. What is Specific Volume?

Specific volume is the volume occupied by a unit mass of a substance. In water heaters, it helps determine the space occupied by water per unit mass, which is important for system design and efficiency calculations.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the specific volume equation:

Where:

• \( v \) — Specific volume (m³/kg)
• \( tank\_volume \) — Total volume of the water heater tank (m³)
• \( water\_mass \) — Mass of water in the tank (kg)

Explanation: The equation calculates how much volume each kilogram of water occupies in the heater.

3. Importance of Specific Volume Calculation

Details: Knowing specific volume helps in designing efficient water heating systems, calculating storage requirements, and understanding system performance under different conditions.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter tank volume in cubic meters (m³) and water mass in kilograms (kg). Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the typical specific volume for water in heaters?
A: For liquid water at room temperature, specific volume is approximately 0.001 m³/kg, but it varies with temperature.

Q2: How does temperature affect specific volume?
A: As water temperature increases, its specific volume increases (water expands), especially near boiling point.

Q3: Why is specific volume important in water heater design?
A: It helps determine the required tank size for a given mass of water and predicts expansion space needed for heated water.

Q4: How to convert specific volume to density?
A: Density is the reciprocal of specific volume (ρ = 1/v).

Q5: Should this calculation account for tank material?
A: This simple calculation doesn't account for tank material, but in precise engineering, material expansion might be considered.